Your Home Addition Resource
You should submit an application for the building, development and/or trade permits associated with the project once all plans and supporting documents needed are prepared. Submitting an incomplete application can result in delays. City staff will then review your application to ensure your project complies with the City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw and the Alberta Safety Codes Act.
Download our Edmonton Home Addition Permit Guide Here
Permits are required for home addition projects in Edmonton such as:
Are you in the process of constructing a detached structure like a standalone gazebo, pergola, or shed that is not connected to your main house? If so, please be aware that accessory structures, including gazebos, pergolas, and sheds that are not physically linked to your house, require the acquisition of accessory building permits.
Development permits ensure your projects are allowed and fit in with the surrounding neighborhood as per the Zoning Bylaw.
Building and trade permits ensure that what is built is safe and that design and construction are done following the Alberta Safety Codes Act.
Permits are an important part of guiding development and achieving the safe, inclusive, vibrant, and walkable city envisioned by The City Plan
Homeowners have the option to either apply for home improvement permits themselves or delegate this task to their contractors.
Homeowners residing in a single detached house that does not share walls with a neighbor can personally apply for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electrical trade permits.
However, in cases where the homeowner doesn’t occupy the home or when the home is connected to a neighbor (e.g., duplex, semi-detached, row townhouse, condominium), a certified trade contractor is mandated to apply for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electrical trade permits.
It’s worth noting that all necessary permits can be sought simultaneously, although distinct inspections will be required for the work associated with each permit.
Homeowners are encouraged to consider hiring professional contractors and designers to assist them, especially for more complex projects. Professional contractors and designers can help make the application process smoother by designing your project and drawing your plans so they meet requirements and applying for permits on your behalf.
We recommend using a contractor experienced in the type of project proposed. Working without an experienced, certified professional may significantly increase the application review processing time as City staff may require you to modify your plans to comply with regulations.
Where structural changes such as load-bearing wall modifications are included, engineer-stamped drawings are required. The plans and drawings submitted must meet application criteria and include a comparable level of detail as found in the sample plans.
Construct Innovative Construction Solutions Corp offers comprehensive home addition services from permit application and construction to inspections and maintenance.
There are different types of home additions and they all have different requirements. Find your applicable home addition requirements below:
Covered Deck(s), Porches, Patios, and Veranda
The addition of covered decks, porches, patios, and verandas offers shelter from the elements without the presence of walls. These types of additions necessitate the submission of application documents, including a site plan, architectural drawings that encompass floor plans and elevation drawings, and potentially engineer-stamped drawings. It’s important to note that even an attached pergola, although not providing weather protection, falls under the category of unenclosed additions and consequently demands the same application documentation.
The following are required for unenclosed additions:
Sunrooms, Mudrooms, Three-season rooms and Attached Garages/Carport(s)
Unheated spaces, such as sunrooms, mudrooms, three-season rooms, attached garages/carports, and screened-in porches or patios, serve as extensions to your living area, lacking a dedicated heating system.
The following are required for unheated room additions:
House expansion and the addition of extra storeys involve the creation of additional space within a building that is equipped with a heating system. This encompasses heated sunrooms (four-season), as well as second or third-storey additions, and expansion either above or below the living space on the ground level.
The following are required for house additions:
The site plan provides an overview of the entire existing property, which is crucial for city staff to comprehend the proposed addition’s intended location on the site.
A floor plan, on the other hand, illustrates the interior layout of your home. City staff rely on detailed floor plans to ensure that your application adheres to zoning bylaws and meets minimum building code requirements.
Elevation drawings offer a comprehensive view of the exterior of your house, encompassing the positioning and dimensions of walls, doors, windows, and the chosen finishing materials.
Depending on your project’s scale, structural and engineering documents might be necessary. If alterations are made to the house’s structural elements (e.g., beams, load-bearing walls, floor configurations, or foundation wall openings), engineer-stamped drawings detailing these modifications are mandatory.
A section provides a cross-sectional view of the building, offering insights into building height, headroom heights, floor-to-floor heights, and the overall structural layout. Details provide additional perspectives on various parts of the building.
Kits and pre-assembled structures, like sunrooms, may necessitate an engineer’s evaluation. It’s important to note that many kits, packages, and pre-assembled structures may not conform to Alberta Safety Codes standards.
The National Building Code – Alberta Edition (NBC – AE) establishes energy efficiency requirements that must be met during the construction of the building envelope, the selection and sizing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and water heating systems, as well as the overall energy performance compliance for housing.
A fire safety plan offers guidelines on safeguarding adjacent properties during construction and ensuring safe evacuation procedures during a fire emergency.
To prevent delays in processing your application, make sure it is comprehensive and fulfills all the requirements detailed in step 1 below.
When necessary, think about enlisting the services of a contractor or other professionals to assist with your project’s design and construction.
Always prioritize construction safety, which includes staying informed about the locations of gas and other utility lines to prevent damage.
Hold off on commencing construction until you have received your official permits.
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